The Federal Government commenced negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to dissolve the persisting strike action recently.
Lecturers of Federal and State-Owned Universities have declined resumption for over six months as a result of the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) salary payment platform.
The indefinite strike is to counteract the Federal Government’s decision to enforce the use of IPPIS. The body of lecturers suggested to the FG that the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) should substitute the IPPIS. They claimed the IPPIS does not attend to the unique operation mechanism in the Universities. They also claimed the IPPIS undermines University autonomy.
Read Also: ASUU, NASU AND THE CONFUSION AND CACOPHONY IN THE UNIVERSITIES
However, the proposal was not heeded as both parties refused to reach a consensus. The restriction imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic also partly contributed to the issue.
Charles Akpan, the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Employment disclosed recently that Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment and his negotiating team will be hosting a meeting with the union on Thursday, October 15.
There is the probability of both parties reaching an agreement as the Federal Government revealed recently that it might consider the adoption of the University Transparent Account System (UTAS).
Chris Ngige, the Labour Minister expressed the FG’s willingness to embrace the idea when addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Senate and ASUU.
Peace Omenka
Photo Credit: Punch